‘Jack Mann’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Houghton’s ‘Jack Mann’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 – The grapes were handsorted and then de-stemmed before going into small open-top fermenters. Indigenous yeasts were allowed to rule and hand plunging continued for ten days before pressing. The wine then went to French oak barriques for 17 months. The blend is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon with just 2% of Malbec, with an alcohol level of 14%. It was made by their Senior Winemaker, Ross Pamment, just the 13th winemaker (Jack was the fourth) in Houghton’s 180-year history. For me, there is some toasty oak immediately noticeable, but it is well integrated and does not intrude on the overall balance. Lots of chocolate here, cedar, tobacco leaf, plums, licorice, prunes and cassis. There is a pleasing richness, but the wine maintains finesse and balance throughout. It really does persist impressively but never loses its intensity. The texture is delightfully supple and the tannins, abundant tannins, are like melting silk. A wine with excellent potential, ten years plus. This is a really good wine. 96